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Over one hundred people gathered at the Salem Convention Center on Saturday, August 19, to participate in the seventh annual Great Salem Race. 42 teams dressed in costumes raced to solve clues, complete challenges and have fun at the event hosted by the Salem Young Professionals.

The Great Salem Race is the ultimate Salem scavenger hunt and team building experience. Open to all ages, teams of two to four received a list of clues which led them to local businesses in downtown Salem. Traveling only on foot, each team had to complete challenges such as filtering water or performing a monologue before receiving a stamp for their completion. After visiting all locations, teams traveled back to the Convention Center to cross the finish line and enjoy post-race festivities.

“This is an affordable, family-friendly, action-packed event downtown that brings families and businesses together,” said Morgan Sund, chair of the planning team. “After being involved last year in the planning of the Great Salem Race, there was no way I would stand back and not participate this year.” Sund is on the leadership team of Salem Young Professionals, a program of the Inspire Foundation that exists to connect professionals in their 20s and 30s and provide professional development opportunities.

“Cities in Oregon” wins 1st place in the competitive division.

Leading the pack in the competitive division was Cities in Oregon with a time of 57:45. Each team member’s costume represented a different city in Oregon: Corvallis, Eugene, Portland, and Salem. Taking second place and winning best costume was Where’d They Go? clocking in at 59:35 and dressed in candy cane stripes as Waldo from “Where’s Waldo?”. Finishing only 20 seconds later, West Salem Foursquare finished at 59:55.

Team Emoji won the family division with a time of 1:01:49. This team of four was familiar with the victory circle after taking second place last year. The Flying Platy-Pi took second place with 1:10:09 followed by The Acosta Avenger taking third at 1:11:24.

“Where’d They Go?” wins best costume.

The fun didn’t end after the race. Back at the Convention Center, food, drinks and live music awaited race participants. Each competitor received a beverage and ice cream sponsored by CD Redding Construction. El Patron Mexican Grill was also on the scene selling their food. As people waited for the rest of the teams to arrive, they could play cornhole, join a water balloon toss or even joust in a bounce house. Live music by Cool, Calm and Collected, a jazz group of recent North Salem High School graduates, kept the scene lively by playing covers of popular songs.

Salem Health was the title sponsor for the event this year. “The Great Salem Race encourages families and friends to be active and see their community in a new way,” explained Bryce Petersen, community relations liaison for the hospital. “Salem Health is proud to sponsor events like the Great Salem Race that promote healthy and active lifestyles.” Other sponsors were B2 Taphouse, Salem Electric and the Ike Box.

Young Pros Planning Team

Clue locations included Exitus Escape Rooms, which ended up being one of the more difficult parts of the Great Salem Race, and the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge, where the Salem Leadership Foundation was located. Other locations included: Salem Creative Network, Salem Summit Company, Taproot, the Verona Studio, Willamette Valley Kitchen Company, Willamette Valley Music Company, Willson Park at the Capitol, and the YMCA.

“I received multiple businesses’ feedback that they appreciated the opportunity to be a clue location and share their business with the community,” Sund remarked. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

An excellent breakfast with Mayor Bennett this morning, followed by an intimate tour of Oregon’s Capitol. Topics of discussion included homelessness, transportation infrastructure and downtown vibrancy. Thanks Sassy Onion for the delicious breakfast, Representative Post for hosting us and SYP members for hanging out.